Omaha daily bee., 1887-03-02

was that the hoard had decided that the cells
ought not TO be built upon the present row OF
cells. and that Contractor Stout stands
ready to build the cells on demand. Ii had
been decided imDolitlc on account OF the
health OF convicts to build the additional cells
until the west wing should be built 10 the
penitentiary. The gentleman inquiries with
reference to the bonds No matter 10 whom
the contract may be assigned the original
bond Is liable for fulhllment Of contract.
Mr.. Duras contended that the state should
advertise for bids, and il a contractor should
take the lease al 20 cents per capita Der day,
his responsibility to the state would be as
great as that of the present lessee at 20 cents.
Mr.. Meiklejohn said that In ls77. when the
state controlled the maintenance OF the con-
victs, each convict cost the state Sl.25 per
day. The lease should be extended tn per-
NIT the lessee TO putin large amount OF ma
chlnery. otherwise he will not put in such ia
ctliteS. In every case where states have con-
t-ol OF convict labor and derived proht, the
state owned the plant in the penitentiary,
while in Nebraska the lessee owns il.
Mr.. Casper said he came TO the legislature
preiudiced against the contract system, as
man who tries TO be in sympathy with the
class 10 whom he belonged. lie was a work.
Ing man, and had always been. But, in
looking over the pamphlet OF the Anti.COn
yict Contract association, he found such as
sociatlon TO be managed exclusively by III IN
utacturers OF agricultural implements. This
struck him with peculiar force, In view of
the fact that these manufacturers had
brought so many foreign mechanics here.
Since l>eO over pa, ,OLO skilled mechanics had
come to this country to compete with our
working people. The goods manufactured
in the penitent'ary were those chiefly used
by the producing classes. and If they could
he cheapened he was in favor of il. The
farmers We're earning 2s per cent. on their
average Investment per year, while the man.
ufacturers OF agricultural implements were
earning - per cent. on their average invest
ment. For this and other reasons he in
tended to support this bill provided the sem
ate should decide that no better contract
could be secured. The Omaha Republican
had been shouting fraud with reference to
the oil, but the senators Should remember
that 1t only represented few bummers in
Omaha, while the senators represented
50 per cent of the working peo-
pie of this state. He had stated the facts
upon which his position was taSed, and ii
the Omaha Republican still clamOred for an
lnyesttratiOn he was ready for il at any time.
The bill was recommended TO pass and the
committee arose.
\ resolution was passed TO pay employees
for week days only, from date OF appoint
ment.
Under bills on third reading the bill for the
relief OF Otoe county in the expenses of
the trial OF gum BOhannon was taken up
and passed.
Next was house roll 10. to extend the pen.
itentiary contract which occupied the senate
committee OF the whole the greater part of
the day.
NJ. Duras moved that the bill be recon-
mitted to committee OF the whole.
Mr.. Colby objected on the ground that the
subject had already claimed too much atten-
ton Of the senate. The ayes and nay were
called Tor and resulted in 3 votes against re-
commitment.
The bill was then passed BY vote of % for
and a-a'nSt. The bill reads as follows:
That the contract leasing 10 w. II. B.
Stout the penitentiary. penitentiary grounds
and convict labor OF the state OF Nebraska,
and which has been by said Stout assigned
and transferred to c. w. Mosher, be and the
same IS hereby extended for the period of ten
years from the lSt day OF October. lSoa. to
tionS and provisions contained in the said
original contract Provided. that said
MOsher shall receive 80 cents per day
in cash for each convict in full for his COM
pensatiOn under said contract. Provided,
further, that upon the takins effect OF this
act the said NOSEer shall enter into a bond
with the state of Nebraska in the penal sum
OF $4,000. with good and sufficient SuretIeS
conditioned for the faithful performance OF
said contract and upon the execution and
delivery OF said bond and the approval OF
said Surettes the board Of public lands and
buildings shall endorse upon said original
contract statement that the same has been
extended 70 said MOSher for the oeriod If ten
years from the lst day OF October, ISIS, ac-
cOrding to the provisions OF this act
This blll as passed was amended so as not
10 permit the manufacture of cigars and brick
nor the cutting OF stone except tor improve
ments OF the penitentiary. ,,
upon the state university grounds for
Practical and scientific instruction, was
passed.
Senate file -, relating to warehousemen,
Mr. Liningers bill to establish a state
school for dependent children was passed.
Senate nile 1ly, 10 provide system of rev.
enue, was passed.
Senate iile IOc& relative to assessment of
property for road tax, was passed.
Senate NE II. the "stupendous Joke" OF
the senate, was read the third time. 1t IS the
sop thrown TO the people BY those senators
who came here 10 defeat all railway legisls-
ton. As the clerk proceeded to read the
bill Mr.. Sterling discovered that the bill was
impertectly engrnSSed, and the kinks which
Mr.. MeSIeIohn hrst noticed had not been
Stralshtened out lie therefore moved that
the bill be recommitted 10 committee of the
whole.
Mr.. Brown favored the motion. which car
ried, wheTeupOn Mr.. Colby jumped up and
moved that tile senate resolve itself into COM
mttee OF the whole 10 consider senate hle
IL. The vote resulted in tie the Lieutenant
before the bill could be taken up Mr..
Sterling moved that the committee arise. the
vote again resulting in tie. Mr. MeIkle
John, in the chair, voted in the affirmative
and The committee arose.
The senate then took recess until o'clock
THIS evening, TO hear the report OF the special
committee appointed TO recount the ballots
upon the legislative amendment
EVENING SESSION.
The senate met at :23 and on motion OF
Mr.. Brown committee of two was ap-
pointed by the president, consisting OF
MeS>rs. Brown and Melklejohn. 10 confer
with Ike committee of the house to take
into consideration the canvass of votes cast
Tor the legislative amendment The com
mittee soon reported. announcing that the
Joint convention would meet Immediately.
The senate then proceeded in a body TO the
house, After the convention adjourned the
senate returned and Immediately adjourned.
NOTES.
The governor has signed the bill 10 limit the
Indebtedness OF corporations.
Mr.. Lininser explained his vote against the
penIient.ay contract bill in writing, which
goes pn record: Il am opposed 10 the bill
a Length of time, and second. because | am
opposed 10 tile contract systeIn."
Doings i'm the House.
LINCOLN. Seb., March l-ISpeeiai TeIe-